Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Now that the New Orleans Hornets are expected to become the New Orleans Pelicans, it’s time to solve the Charlotte Bobcats’ own name issues.

The simplest solution is the best: The Bobcats need to rebrand themselves as the Charlotte Hornets.

Michael Jordan told The Observer in a group interview I was part of a month ago that he would consider changing the nickname if and when the New Orleans franchise gave up the “Hornets” nickname.

“It's definitely an interest down the road, but right now it's the New Orleans Hornets," Jordan told us. "We would definitely entertain the opportunity. That's as much as we can say right now. We've heard the community ask the question, and we would listen.”

“Down the road” is apparently here, according to a Yahoo Sports report that cites numerous sources in saying that New Orleans will rebrand itself as the Pelicans, perhaps as early as the 2013-14 NBA season. The team has planned to change its nickname ever since New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson bought the team earlier this year. The report isn't official yet, but no one has stepped forward to deny it from New Orleans.

The Bobcats were named in part for previous owner Bob Johnson, who was widely unpopular in Charlotte. Although Jordan was once Johnson’s minority partner before buying the team from him, I don’t think MJ likes the nickname at all. He often refers to the team as the “Cats” in conversation, dropping the “Bob” entirely. And “Bobcats” has always sounded like the name of a middle-school basketball team to me, one whose varsity was named the “Tigers” or something more ferocious.

So here’s a chance to remind people of the glory days of NBA basketball in Charlotte. The name was so deeply embedded in the culture that even now people accidentally call the Bobcats the Hornets, and it’s been a decade since the Charlotte Hornets existed.

So why fight it? Embrace the change. Become the “Charlotte Hornets” once more. Sure, it will cost several million to do this, but it will be money well spent and the new Charlotte Hornets will eventually make it up via jersey and memorabilia sales. This makes sense from both a financial and an emotional standpoint. Bring back the buzz – let the Charlotte Hornets live once more.

I have talked to several people i know and they say they will go to the games if they are named the hornets, but will NOT if they remain the bobcats. No matter what the people in the Charlotte Disturber say, the people want the name changed. end of story

Have you ever seen a movie sequel that just ruined the original?? That's what is going to happen by trying to bring back the Hornets name. The TWC arena will never be like the Tyvola Center. People have moved, grown older, and the team is different. People who think we will sell out games every night just because the name changes are going to realize what waste of effort and money this bring back the buzz fiasco was.

you're going to buy season tickets because of a name change not because of the team or players? Us fans that have actually gone to games and watch games just want a team in Charlotte to pull for and do well. We don't care about the name we care about the product. If all you care is about the name then you're not a true fan.

I guess all of us REAL basketball fans who have not been hung up on a team who left 20 years ago and bought into the BOBCATS should just start over? I invested hard earned money on gear, now it is going to become useless? This is not fair for us fans who have been here all along.

This is the worst thing that could happen to Michael if he doesn't want to do the name change. Previously, he could string people in town along, first saying that he could not comment because there was another team already named the Hornets, next saying that he would consider it if became available.

Now he is going to have to actually do it or risk alienating a large portion of the people in this town, some of whom would previously give him the benefit of the doubt.

It's time for the change to be made. The challenge will be to capitalize on the goodwill.

Finally, if the Pelicans can rebrand for 2013 it doesn't make sense that the Bobcats could not rebrand in that same time frame.

Dare we hope for Charlotte Hornets, the Hive, Honeybees, Hugo the Hornet (and Super Hugo--Bug on a Windshield?) in 2013??????

I think a lot of people here who gripe about the name change vs. "paying players" (although there is no correlation) don't understand the historical significance of the name to Charlotte. Perhaps a follow-up article explaining the longstanding tradition of the Hornets sports teams would help them get this a little better.

People like Anon 9:44 crack me up. If you don't care, great, keep your input to yourself. If you don't care then it doesn't matter if the name changes. For the rest of us that grew up Hornets fans, etc, let the name change happen and bring back the history and fond memories.

The Hornets benefitted from being the only major league team in the city at the time. During the late '90s their attendance was below average as the Panthers became the main event. Charlotte is now a solid two sport town with or without a name change. The missing ingredient is consistent winning.

I don't care about the name changing back just the "fans" that say they will start going to games or cheering for Charlotte b/c the name changes back to the Hornets. I'm sure the current players really felly appreciated for the ones that will come back only bc of the name change. Just stay at home we don't want your support.

Hornets have been a symbol of our civic pride since 1780, when Cornwallis found here a "hornet's nest of rebellion." Every police officer has a hornet's nest on his or her badge. Our county seal has a hornet nest. I think the connection to our history is an important aspect of the team name that can be overlooked by newcomers to our area. It's the perfect name for our team. Please make it happen.

What is so wrong with the name Bobcats? It seems more people are fired up a name change than they are about putting a winner on the court. The Hornets were here, ignited the city, then George Shinn broke the hearts of the fans and packed up and left like a spoiled brat. I see more people upset with Bob Johnson than George Shinn. At least the guy brought basketball back to town. I have my own theories on why he was so disliked but some folks need to get over it. He had the money and the league chose him over Larry Bird. MJ needs to worry about building a winner, not a name change!

The decision to change name back to Charlotte Hornets would be a very popular choice here in Charlotte. However, Pelicans is a bad kickname for New Orleans. I know its the state bird of Louisiana but it has no spark or ring "New Orleans Pelicans". Why don't they change their kickname to the New Orleans "Brass"?

Just bought 2 Panther jerseys since my first Frank Reich jersey. Being from Virginia, I'm a big fan of all things Charlotte, and as such a fan of the Bobcats, Cats, or whatever. I was a crazy fan of the Hornets and would love to see the name change. I'm holding out for my custom Charlotte Hornets jersey now. Make it so!

Man, the unveiling would be awesome. Celebrity game with old and new Hornets players. Shoot, suit MJ up in an old school uni and have him play alongside Bogues, Curry, Johnson, Mourning. You just paid for the name change in one day.

Shakespeare said it best, "What's in a name? Would a rose by any other name not smell as sweet?" Same goes for our Charlotte NBA Team. What matters is the product on the court not what we call them!! I say if MJ is going to fork out money to attract fans then do something for us diehards that have been here for so long. How about make the Wednesday night concession specials all week?!

Really? You wishy-washy "fans"? You're going to come running back as soon as they change the name? That's why you've been nowhere to be found in the arena except for that playoff run a few years ago? I'm from here and I'm so over people in this town. How about you go root for the Baltimore Colts or Tennessee Oilers? We're the Charlotte Bobcats, get on board or don't. Either way, the real fans will be here supporting our current team.

As a current $$$ supporter of the "Bobcats", my preference would be to keep the name. Bringing back the Hornets name might sell some more merchandise initially, but will it really put more people in the seats!?!?! When I embrace a team...I go all in. When I hear people will "only support the team if they go back to the Hornets"... as someone looking at this from a management/ownership perspective, that wouldn't give me a lot of confidence that they will A)follow through on their promises and B) stick around after the initial "buzz" has died down.

All people that claim the name doesn't matter and a true fan (like themselves) will support the team no matter what the name is....

Great- all of us Charlotte Hornets fans are happy to hear that you will still support the team when the name is changed.

To be honest, if you already are a fan of the team and will continue to be a fan and buy tickets no matter what the name is- your opinion means nothing.

Your opinion is meaningless because you will support the team anyway, what Michael Jordan needs is incremental revenue. The Charlotte Hornets brand creates incremental revenue (revenue about what can be achieved as Bobcats)

If your a true fan and you want the team here long term, you need to support what ever will make the franchise more money. This team cant continue to lose 20-30 million dollars a year and stay in business in Charlotte.

To the sports purists who argue about wins, players and coaches and changing the name does not matter.... True.

But that argument ignores basic marketing.

The "real" sports fans are not filling up the arena now (yes, winning would help). But if restoring the Hornets name would sell a few more seats (in the short-term anyway) and generate income with t-shirt and hat sales, and help erase the bitter feelings, then why not?

EXACTLY why we should stick with the Bobcats. This is great advice to everyone who's been harping to re-name us the Hornets. The people who want this, don't come to the games and use this silly reason not to support the franchise. Fughettaboutum.

This comment is to the ones that are the "fans" and are claiming that the ones that support this name change are not true "fans".

There are a lot of people in this city that felt wronged by the Hornets leaving the city. The NBA should have never let this happen, never. Sure the NBA brought a new team to our city, but because of ownership not trying to be a part of the city and blaming the city for the teams problems, many of us have NEVER felt like the Bobcats were ours.

Now the team is owned by someone else, and there is a chance to get our name back. To many people this feels like justice has been served.

If you're a "true fan", then what do you really care about the name change? What this will actually do is bring in more revenue to a team that needs it.

So all you real fans say we should not care about a name change. Arn't you crying over a possible name change. If the name doesn't matter to you then if it changes to the Hornets you shouldn't care. The hornets have a long history hear starting with the Charlotte Hornets baseball team of the 1900's.

MJ, if you purchase the name, make sure you get the Charlotte Hornets history as well. Time to celebrate the fact that we actually had a basketball history in Charlotte. Muggsy, Dell, LJ, Phils, Alonzo, don't mean a thing to New Orleans. Didn't play in that city or for that owner.

Charlotte Hornets should match the team colors of the Panthers. Would help build a city identity... How many times have you seen black/gold and thought of Pittsburgh. I do! And I hate Pittsburgh. But it's a good marketing scheme.

I don't care what the team is called, I support my (adopted) hometown team and will continue. But I can't stand the Southern-Bless-Your-Heart-Pitchfork-Lynchmob-Well-I-Never mentality of old-school Southerners... especially the trolls who comment on this topic incessantly.

- Bobcats is a stupid name that reflected the egomania of the original owner.

- The Bobcats logo is dumb looking.

- "Bobcats" has no tie to the city or the Carolinas, other than that, like about 40 other states, we have bobcats here.

Note that none of those have to do with the Hornets.

Again, I would support changing the name from the Bobcats to the Charlotte Queens, which is a terrible name but still better than the Bobcats. The fact that there's a still-loved nickname complete with art, colors, designs, and history right there waiting makes this a no-brainer.

Look at you people. Most of you that don't want the change or care about the change are obviously transplants from other parts of the country. The reason this team stopped selling out games was because of the arena issue and Shinn's seual assault case.

I cannot believe there is anyone that sees a negative to bringing the Hornets name back to CLT. These are the same people still complaning about the "shiny new arena" and why no one can service their 8-track player anymore. Seriously? The Bobcat NBA franchise; its player management, the product on the floor, ownership, fan loyalty, marketing, everything has been a fiasco since it's been here. Finally there is some definable young talent, cap flexibility in sight, draft assets and a good GM and hungry coach. No, let's take this time to NOT keep progress going. Face it, restoring the name "Charlotte Hornets" is what is needed, to forever banish the horrid stench of Bob Johnson from our minds. We thought no one could be worse than Shinn, we were throroughly proven wrong. Let us fans have something, SOMETHING to be proud of while this team prepares itself to be embraced by this city again. I supported this team since tipoff, and yet i flew down to NO for the inaugural game. I love both teams, but the Hornets are always CLT first and always. To me, getting the name back is the best draft pick this team could ever pull off. This needs to be completed yesterday

Yeah Yeah- there are going to be all these people saying "who cares, it won't make us a better team.." blah blah. That's not the point. No NAME will make a team better. This is simply about civic pride- the fact that Hornets is culturally relevant to Charlotte and that the Hornets basketball name is relevant to this city- every bit as much as the Browns, Supersonics, Steelers, Cowboys, and Lakers are to their cities. The team will improve when it does (hopefully sooner and not later). But changing the name to Hornets is relevant and worth something for this city. DO IT!!!

I work in a men's urban clothing store in GEORGIA and even today, the Hornets are still known and remembered as the CHARLOTTE Hornets. We even still carry new merchandise bearing the Charlotte Hornets name and logo. I would love my old Hometown team to go back to the Hornets, but a name change alone will not fix the stats.

One of the major reasons people have a bitter taste in the mouth about the Bobcats is that the Bobcats name may or may not have been taken from former owner, Bob Johnson.

He was/is pretty arrogant and many people refuse to support him or any apparent vestige from his days as owner.

Chang the name back and you will get the older fans of the Hornets...you know, the one's that contributed to the record attendance levels of the 80s and 90s (many of which are now 50 and 60 with no kids and cash to burn).

The entire Hornets brand and game experience was a stroke of conceptual genius.

As long as Jordan has the good sense the bring back everything as it was without monkeying with anything - i.e dont mess with the logo, uniforms, colors, mascot, court design, hive sound effects, etc - people will come back in droves.

Is is shallow that many people care more about branding than on the court product? Perhaps.. But reality is that an NBA arena is filled predominately with fair weather fans on a typical game night who are there for a fun evening out and the atmosphere more than the basketball product.

The Hornets and Charlotte are one in the same and the reunion between the name and city will have been long overdue.

"Its Friday night and we are Liiive at the Hiiive. Get on your feet and welcome back youurrr Charlotte Hornets!"

As a local Charlottean and 29 year resident of the city, I grew up with the Hornets and I will buy season tickets to see my team again. Those who didn't grow up here don't understand what the Hornets did for this city. People came out in droves for several years to support "our team." I remember what a treat it was to go to the games, see the buzz meter rise, see Hugo and Super Hugo entertain the crowds - the hive was alive! I get nostalgic just thinking about the teal and purple pinstripes. I support the Bobcats, but love the Hornets. You have to realize, back in the day, the Hornets were all we had. We watched as they rose up the standings. We were upset when they left town. The Bobcats were a band aid to us 20-30 somethings. Let's bring back the buzz. Let's embrase the history of this town. Let's make this happen!

Scott says: "I don’t think MJ likes the nickname at all. He often refers to the team as the “Cats” in conversation, dropping the “Bob” entirely."

Just because someone shortens a name does not mean that they dislike the entire name. Unless you have heard the man say that he dislikes the name "Bobcats",keep what you think he "likes" to yourself. Ex: Celts, 9ers, Knicks, Blazers. I guess these owners "dislike" their entire names too. What a joke!

The bottom line is that Bob Johnson had the opportunity to give the team an appropriate name that the city could identify with and didn't. I think the Charlotte Speed and the Charlotte Flight are great names as well but that would take additional time and money to implement and come up with a logo and colors. The hornet colors, logo, and brand are already established. New Orleans should have changed the name once they moved in the first place. Can't wait to see the teal and purple uniforms with the pin stripes. GO HORNETS!!!

I love all of the comments saying that the true fans go to all of the games and do not want the name to change, and you're not a true fan if you support the name change. Well as a fan who had season tickets to the Hornets and who has been to over 150 Bobcats games I consider my self a huge fan of our local team. However, as much as I love the Bobcats changing the name back to the Hornets would mean so much for this town. The name has so much history and passion behind it. The Bobcats name has no local relevance as it was just named for a man who had no business running a major league franchise. The Bobcats would have a sharp increase in revenue from initial ticket and merchandise sales if they decide to change the name, and while it may not help the product on the floor at first I believe any fan increase would make this town a lot more intriguing for potential free agents.

I support Charlotte basketball, which means I support the Bobcats (tickets, merchandise, etc.). But my level of support will increase exponentially when the Hornets and the teal and purple are returned to their rightful home.

MJ - this is a breakaway slam dunk. You know what to do. Bring back the buzz!

I was a supporter of the Hornets, and I have continued to be a supporter of the Bobcats, however, if you have the chance to bring back the Hornets name then please do it. It will help Charlotte remember the "BUZZ" at the Hive.

I'm 26 and miss the name incredibly. I still like the cats just miss the old name. This would be a great time to hit the reset on the program and instill a new name with our tough play and hard work from Dunlap and Cho.

How about all you chumps that think the name is so important band together and sell out one of the weaker games on the schedule. That might prove somehting to MJ. Of course yoiu have no shot. I was at the last game they tried to do it. It was about 100 people. Maybe.

How about Charlotte Buzzcats! Bzzzzzzmeow! I'll bring my Paula Abdul tape, maybe the cheerleaders can do a routine to it! Radical!!! Snifffffff, my life is so lame now that the only good memories I have are from 20 years ago.

Nah I'm messing with you all. I don't care either way, just glad we've got a team to watch and route for. They're good kids this year and the deserve our support no matter what logo they're wearing.

Everybody that don't want the name changed from the Bobcats has no good reasons for it. "They need to worry about winning and spending money on players, not a name change." The Bobcats ARE focused on winning and they are right now. As you can see this season has been a huge turnaround since last year. Also which players should we spend our money on? Yall wanted players like CP3 and DHoward to come to Charlotte. Is that who we should spend our money on instead of a name change(which is pocket change to MJ)?? Big name players don't wanna play for the BOBcats, it's not an attractive market. When the Hornets come back to town, yall will see more excitement about NBA in Charlotte since we last had the Hornets. That kind of excitement leads the way for better attendance, merchandise sales, and eventually, with the path we are on, a great team with an exciting market to potential superstars. Well, said Scott. Thanks for helping BRING BACK THE BUZZ

To the bloggers who question, why the change. Sure there in not much in a name for a successful team. The Bobcats are anonymous to Bob Johnson. The name Hornets have a long history in Charlotte. Also, better for the hype and marketing.

What's in a name? Friends I will tell you. Some of my first memories are going west on Tyvola toward "the hive" with my Dad and brother as a young man. When the hornets were sold it ripped my heart out as it did to many others. When the bobcats came it seemed like an effort to replace something that could not be. I do pull for the bobcats but it is not the same. There is no history. No Mugsy, no Dell Curry, no Grandmama, no Zo. Also the historical significance of the name Hornets in the area goes without saying. Bobcats was a semi clever name chosen by a rich guy nobody here cared for. I'd rather watch the Hornets lose than watch the bobcats win. I think many share my opinion.

Bringing back the Hornets name will excite the fan base both at games and in the community. By exciting the fan base he entire Charlotte NBA franchise will be excited, including the players who feed off the fans. Bringing back the Hornet name is a win win situation. People that oppose the Hornet name are people that have no clue what the Hornets name means in local history.

Really people...really....if you are saying you will come to the games now because of a name change, you are as ignorant as you sound. That sounds like something my 7 year old would say. Grow Up people...be mad at David Stern, George Shinn but not this team or organization. Kemba Walker did not cause the Hornets to leave so why penalize him for it.

If you look at the comments it seems no matter what the comment is EVERYONE is a fan. Whether it's a fan of today or of yesterday we all agree we love basketball in Charlotte. I was at the ticker tape parade when Charlotte first got the NBA team in town. It was amazing how proud the entire city was of that team and showed it by supporting them even though they were playing all the way over on Tyvola. I cried when we lost that team and I cried when they tore that arena down too btw. Bring back the name, bring back the teal, bring out the original players for another pep rally...just don't bring back Shinn and the decision makers that made us lose our identity in the first place. Bobcats name has always been a thorn b/c of B.Johnson. I was at that name unveiling street rally as well and I voted for Flight. Call them Hornets and the true Beelievers will be happy. Call them Bobcats and the new to town Charlotteans will be happy. Better yet call them HornCats and everybody wins. ~Supporter of Charlotte history.

I'm buying in to this "Bring back the buzz" movement. Let's rename the team the "Hornets." Lets rebuild the "hive;" at the expense of those who want to rebrand. Let's let all the "Bring back the buzz" folks also be responsible for buying the millions of dollars of gear that BOBCAT fans have bought. Heck, while we're at it, I REALLY like the old Yankee Stadium- can y'all bring that back too?

this is a no brainer. players will always come and go but this community was vested in the Hornets until Shinn and Woolridge alienated the charlotte fans. the name is rooted in the history of this area and is one people identify with. if anyone understands the value of brand name, it should be MJ. this would create a marketing bonanza. for those who talk about spending on players, you have to have revenue to spend including merchandise, tickets and the like. the bobcats brand will never have the value the hornets brand has. MJ should go to the league office and remind them who help put the nba on the map and they should convey the branding back to charlotte free of charge as the league will benefit if the team's financial situation improves

I grew up watching you constantly beat my Hornets. Please, be a hero now and take back the name. After all, Cornwallis didn't speak of New Orleans as a "hornets nest", but of Charlotte. It is time to bring the name home.

It's not stupid for fans to want the name change. What the hell does bobcats mean to charlotte or North Carolina. This team isn't playing good so those fans that don't watch the bobcats and don't support them will because of the name change. Not forever but it will buy the team some more time to start playing better and to become a big time team with big time fans. The charlotte hornets fans were the best in basketball not because of the name but because what the team the name and everything meant to the city and the people. I do understand some people will be upset about there bobcats gear but mj could give some free merchandise to the season ticket holders. The name change is a business move to get things started. The fans multiply and get louder, you get a better home court advantage, it gives the players reasons to play better, the team make will make more money off tickets and merchandise ( the hornets sold the most tickets and the most jerseys hats etc. even this year the hornets sell more than the lakers heat or knicks. It's a part of the nba and the hornets in NOLA are not the same. I am all for #bring back the buzz even though I am a bobcats fan and have jerseys shirts and hats. And the people that are complaining would forget about it in 1 year just like it always happens.

Most people don't understand about the hornets that's cause most of them are not from Charlotte, have no pride in Charlotte and the history. Hornets is a revolutionary name for Charlotte. Those of us born and raised in this city have a pride in the name! It's embedded in our culture and things we see every day. Bringing the hornets back will not change the team but it will change the fans... It will bring them back and make more money for the team as to get more good players. The hornets pride is here as anyone can see just by walking at a mall and seeing what people are wearing